Versatile NiCd Charger Automatic Morse IDer Ultra-Accurate F 73 R lonal Antenna eVlews

100 Pages·2009·35.77 MB·English

JANUARY 1994
ISSUE #400
USA $2,95
CAN $3,95
A WGI Publication
International Editl
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THETEAM
A m a t e u r
January 1994
Issue #400
PUBUSHERJEDITOR
Wayne Green W2NSD/l
ASSOCIATEPUBUSHERlEOJTOR R a d i o T o d a y
David Cassidy N1GPH
MANAGING EDITOR
Hope Currier
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SENIORlTECHNICAl EDITOR
Charles Warrington WA1RZW
FEATURES
EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES DEPARTMENTS
Sue Jewell
10 Using the World's Most Accurate Frequency Standard, Part 1
Joyce Sawtelle
74 Above and Beyond
Building a receiver for WWVS K9EUI
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS 81 Ad Index
18 Micro IDer 78 Ask Kaboom
Bill Brown WB8ELK
An easy-to-build automatic Morse code station identifier. .....KA9SZW, Pointer 72 ATV
Mike Bryce WBBVGE
89 Barter 'n' Buy
Joseph E. Carr K41PV
30 The "Hula Loop"
54 Carr's Corner
David Cowhig WARSP
A stationary bidirectional hybrid three-element delta 100p NH6XK
37 Dealer Directory
Michael Geier KB1UM
34 The Quad Charger 17 Feedback Index
Jim Gmy W1XU/7
47 Ham Help
A constant current NiCd charger K4GOK
Chuck Houghton WB61GP
66 Hams with Class
Arnie Johnson N1BAC
50 Hamsats
REVIEWS
Dr. Marc Leavey WA3AJR
62 Homing In
Andy MacAllister WA5ZIB 6 tenere
42 EASY-PC Printed Circuit Layout Software
Joe Moell K00V
4 Never Say Ole
Want to get into computer-aided design (CAD)? K4IPV
Carole Perry WB2MGP 88 New Products
Jeffrey Sloman Nl EWO 70 Packet &. Computers
48 "The Radio Doctor"
96 Propagation
"Fix it and run it" videos WB6NOA
ADVERTISING SALESMANAGER 68 QRP
Dan Harper 8 QRX
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR 96 Random Output
52 RTTY Loop
Judy Walker
80 73 lnteenatlenal
1-603-924-0058
87 Special Events
1-800-274-7373
94 Uncle Wayne's
FAX: [phone]
BOOkshelf
53 Updates
GRAPHIC DESIGN
56 1993 Annuallndell
Suzanne Sell
GRAPHIC SERVICES FEED8ACK._
FilmWorks, Inc. t·U:l>BAl.:K!
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!l's lile being then:- right
TYPESETTING hen: inou, off,ce,! How?
linda Drew Just lale ,,,h anlaj;eofour
fEEDBACK card on page
17. You'lI notice 0 feWhacl
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On the cover: Recharge all of your NiCd cells with this versatile, easy,to-build project. See page 34.
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73 Ama/eur Radio Today. January, 1994 3
yodeling groups, and I enjoy every
Number 1 on your Feedback card
even
one of them. I've gol a collection
01 Polish lolk singing groups.
In America there are polka bands,
square dance bands, country fiddling
contests, bluegrass tesnvais. cajun,
zydeco, rap, Oi~ieland, ragtime lesti·
vats, maybe a couple hundred jazz
NEVER SAY DIE festivals, and so on. These all are ripe
lor recording
Wayne Green W2NSD/ l So Who Pays fOl'" the CDs?
I'll underwrite the street musician
series if you're short 01 money to gel
n
started. But bet I can get it back
from Chambers of Commerce, And
even if not, I can sell enougtl 01 a se
ries like that via mail order and record
stores to make it profitable.
But even if you have to finance the
Step That Damned Noise! Wrth a little shopping you might even can record street music, so what else COs ycursen, you can be making a
find used stuff lor half thal is there? Within a lew miles 01 you profit alter the first 250 are solcf.
Is that your normal response when
you wen, are
Who should record? how there endless musicians, They're I recommend ycu record music
you hear opportunity knocking? This
came to mind when I got several let aboul tackfing any large city and everywhere. AD performers need COs written by the perlormers so you'll
me recording the street musicians? There and cassettes 10 sell at their perfor avoid haying to pay copyrighl royal
ters recently from readers lhanking
lor getting them off their fat lazy butts are some fabUlous musicians wor1I.ing mances. They usually make roore seil ties. These can come to $1.20 per CO,
Ihe streets 01 every big city in Ihe ing these than they get lor their gigs. so they're tough. ThaI's a lederal Ia",
and thinking about making money.
mere
wor1d. All you have to do is record 'em Then are endless places to so you donl mess with iI. PerlofTTIer
There are endless ccpcrtunutes. ii's
just that most ol us are nof furwM:! to , , , preterably playing their own music find perlormers. I'm way up in the royalties are usually 12'%. That's
that wavelength, so we donl see 'em. . .. and 1'1 take it from there. I'm set mountains 01 New Hampshire, yet in about 90C per CO. AI that brings your
Yet. 111 bet there are dozens ol readers up to make the CDs and cessetres. the tiny town 01 Antrim we've got a investment to about $4.40 per CD.
complete with the liner notes, bar blues dUb in the Rynbom restaurant. You sell 'em to distributors for $7.SO,
who are bifching because they don1
COOes, and so on. Further, I can get Every perlormer there should be or to your rocar record stores or
have enough money lor this or for
that. Whine , , , f can't al!ord those you started with promotion in musiC recorded. By the time you have 15 of restaurants for $10. $9 to your per
publications read by consumers and 'em you've got enough lor a CO , , , former(s).
new expenswe rigs , , , whine. Oh,
the record store buyers. I'm already lor both the perlormers and the club 10
baloneyl
The Music Industry Chaos
distributing music lor oyer SOO record sell. In Peterborough we've got the
You can have anything you want
au-acts
companies, so I know the ropes. Folkway, which many well, Up until me last two or three years
. . . if you really want it and are willing
There are a zillion people who'd love known performers, plus there's t ar six record companies had a strangle·
to spend some time and effort. Oppor·
ev to start collecting a set of street musi· acarta, and Del Rossi's (mostly blue hold on the whole industry. It was a
tunities lie everywhere, I see 'em
can
ery day and I think, l ordy, il I just lind performances 'rom cities around grass). All three of these restaurants solid cartel. They controlled tho major
a couple more people with an interest the world. should be recording their artists and artists, r nstrtounon, many 01the record
tve heard marvelous performers in helping them sell their CDs and cas stores, virtually all major radio staten
In working, what fun we'd have with
that coat And I wonder why no one London, Munich , Berli n, Vienna, senee. There's enough going on just air play, MTV, and so on, Since five 01
else has thought 01anything so obvi· Cannes, Paris, Amsterdam, New Yolk, In Peterborough to keep someone the six megacorporalions are lorelgn
ous. rave a Chicago, New Orleans, Philadelphia, busy in their spare time .. , and mak· owned, most of the money from all this
Well, maybe thaI's why I
Boston, San Francisco, etc. I just wish ing very nice money, That's one great Is probably being sent abroad. Just In
Ph.D. in Entrepreneurial Science and
I had the time to record 'em all, There thing about recordings, once you have the last couple years, with the terms
you don't.
LeI me give you a 'tor Instance." I was even one guy wheeling a grand 'em, you can sell 'em lor years. tion of the Independenl Music Produc
subscribe to a bunch 01magazines plano around the New York streets 50 whars it cost to do all this? I've er's Syndicate (IMPS), this has begun
and playing classical music. There are explained about the equipment. That's to change. The majors have been
and buy a lot 01 stuff by mail, so I'm on
endless sucker lists. The other day some wonderful steel bands, vcnnets, simple, though you'll want to get good lighting back, culling olf advertising to
this resulted in a stack 01 catalogs great guitar players, and endless Pe at placing your stereo mike. It costs retailers not toeing the line. They've
from Home Automation l aboratories ruvian and Ecuadorian groups. about $2,300 to make a thousand also stopped selling to Iroublesome
wrctesere
(HAL). I looked through them and Think about it. Street performers COs. They normally to dis retailers, forcing them to buy lrom the
'or get eight to 12 hours a day 01 practice, tributors lor around $7.50, sell 10 more expensive "one-stops." The mao
thought. what a great opportunity
hams to go into business selling and seven days a week, so unless they've record stores lor $10, and retail lor jere are trying to stop retailers from
Installing home automation and securi some mental problems, they tend to $15. The spread between the $2.30 it selling used CDs. They're trying to
ty products In their neighborhoods. get awfully good. I discovered Scott costs to manufacture the CO, com slop them 'rom lelling customers re
The catalog is paclle<t with hundre<ts Kirby playing his piano on the streets plete with liner notes, tray card, Jewel turn any CDs they don't like , , , or
01 great gadgets. The oullit Is in of New Orleans. Today. as a result of boa. shrink wrap, plus three months 01 even be able to Iislen to tl'lem in the
Smyrna GA 30082,5141. if they my recordings, Scott is recognized as promolion in the 5ecreI GUide to Mu stores before buying.
missed sending you a catalog. the finest Iagtime pianist ir1 the world. SiC, CD Review, and Music Relailing, The result of aDltIis has been a co
He's the only ragtime pianist who's and the diStributor price has 10 coyer nanza lor the small independent
Then Ther. '. the Mu. 1c Bu. lneu making a living at it just playing his the costs of making the OAT record record companies (indies), Record
The music industry Is In chaos music. Around 99% of our musiCians ing, lurther promotiOn, advertiSing,and stores are getting angner and angrier
these days. Wherever there's chaos, have 10 have dayli'ne jobs to pay the payments on your yacht. If the CO at the majoiS and are starting to sen
there's opporturvty, and the oppotIuni- bills so they can play gigs at night. sells at all wea you.. see some pretty ously push indio muse as an alterna
ties in the music lield are endless 10- You" be helping yourself as well as good money rolling in. live. But we need tons more india mu·
day. I know I'm having a ball. There the perlormers. They'd all love to have Any dub or restaurant that has mu sic to fiB this need. Good musiC. The
are so many lhings that can be clone t CDs and cassenes to sell and we can sic should be a good potential cue penorrrers are oul there, _ /U~ have
hartly know whiCh way to tum next. supply 'em, with endless commissions lomer. Eyery musical group, How to get 'em on digital tape (DAn and
let me be specific, Lers say you'd to you. They oormally sea the CDs lor about school (great graduation gilt) or then make the CDs.
like to make some change In your $15, making $5 on every sale. You to"n bands? Many companies have Those are some 01 lhe opportuni
su see n
spare time. Sure, you're alrald to QUit make a budl. They sell cassettes for bands. In England there are many ties I in the music field, biJt bet
your 9-5 and slep olf the clltf as an en- $10 and make $3. You make 66e. perb company bands and I've got their that whatever business you're in, if
trepreneur, You don't have to, II you That adds up last and I really en;oy CDs to prove it In Germany there are you start thinking, you", see plenty 01
invest maybe S2,()()O tops in a digital sending out nice fat commission endless tolk music groups thai are e~citing ways to make money, You just
audio tape rllOOfder and a good stereo dlecks. marvelous, I'll bel I have close to a
Continued on page 84
micrq>hone set, you'l be in business. Well, obvioUSly only a few people hundred CDs of German oompah and
4 73 Amateur Radio Today -January, 1994
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_ A'l3I'eIn.CA92llO6
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Number 2 on your Feedback card
knows 01 you and also knows thai I have enjoyed il thoroughly. The arti
LETTERS
subscfibe to 73. t lhought it read very cles seem to be more rooted In reality
weI and made a 101of sense. than most other U.S. amateur radio
My last corrwnet1t has to dO with the magazines. Usually I agree With your
From the Hamshack
n
CW mode ot operation: I also think column, and when I disagree is a
that with the presenl state 01 the art ifl matter 01perspective.
the communication field, the CW re For instance, although I'm pretty
Sid Wolin K2L.JH, Manager. Az· COmer: "Ham Help: or "Letters: or Quirement needs an overhaul since iI active on SSB and RnY. I still oper
den Communlcallons Divil lon, an of them? is but one of the many mocIes 01 arre ate a lot of CWoThis is because I have
Franklin Squat. NY We at Azden My problem, and I'm sure other leur communication, I think CW is a a lousy antenna and CW can get
are very appreciative 01 your having hams who have Heathkits have or will fun mode and a historically Sigflilieant through where voice won'!. Also. on
published a review of our AZ~1 6 me have this problem, is revlacernenl 01 mode and certain portions of the spec. the international scene some hams
let handheld radio (November '93). certain proprietary devices used in trum should sliU be allocated lor ii, bul can only alford a small, low-power,
While reading It. I noticed a staremeot some kits. The immediate problem is as a requeerreot lor the advanced op CW-only rig and don't know enough
lhal could be misunderstood and with two tes used in the Heath Hantt erating licenses it should be eliminat· English to communicale with others
ee.
would place the radio in a poor right. held Frequency Counler Model My personal choices of communi· but can get by on CWo
Gordon w est says, -Unlike the 2 IM2400. They are identilied as Heath calion are limited because , for all I'm also an ExIra Class U.S. license
meIer version. the Azden 6 meter pIn 442·698 and pIn 443·937. I've practical purposes, I am deal (nu-relat holder and lind the current system of
handheld onere no oddball duplex searcnee my sources for these oe ad nerve dealness at age 28); I cannot exams and licenses lacking, Six levels
split." What it should have said was, vices to no avail. HELPI communicate by voice and group club 01licenses and exams Is ridiculous. II
"Jusl like the 2 meter version, the Az This poor meter (sad, not bad) went meetings are out, untortunatety, I have would make more sense to me to
den 6 meier handheld etters any com through Hurricane Hugo a lew years no problems with CW, and the tone have three levels 01licenses. The lirst
bination 01oddball splits In each 01 its ago, lrom which I lost the NiCds and deafness mentioned by N8YBK in the would be like the current No-Code
neen
40 memories." It is a most versatile ra now the High Frequency Channel. The September '93 ' Letters" column, re Tech, which has proven to be an
diO. Low Prequency Channel works line, garding an individual who couldn't excellent entry-levelhcense. The next
ecce.
I would appreciate your including a as did the High Frequency. unlil last leam !he is not a correct analy· would be like the current General II-
correctioo In the ne)(! ava~able issue. week. In the absence 01 the NiCds, Sis of that indivillJars problem. As you cense, with et e eet a 12 wpm cocIe re
I've been running off of a regulated would probably agree, the code tone quirement (to (1\ within CEPT anct oth
'01
Sid-Thanks setting us straight. power supply. Apparently, this power can be at almost any audible Irequen er reciprocat programs) and a power
That AZ-6' sur" is a nice little radio supply developed a spike(?} which cy and stil be copied; if s the duration limit of 100 watts. This would raise a
... David N1GPH popped these devices. I've lemporaOly and spacing, etc.. of re nee. not the 101 01 opposition, but isn't uncommon
replaced the J)'n 442-696 with a MAR tones themselves, 1hat make the cocIe in other parts 01 the world. You can sbl
Carl Moor. W4MJK, SPl111 TN 1, but can't flncI a replacemenl lor the COfTl)rehenSible. do almost anything with 100 waItS as
Wayne- Thanks lor your entoners. avide-by·10 pm 443--937 that can cc you can with more power, with the ex
Ron Gillies, Uoydmlnsler, Alber·
comments. etc., especially the one f0l erate at 500 MHzI I would appreciate ception of good moortlounee. It might
ta, Canada Wayne, I am a Canacl18n
lowing RiCkey's lene' in the Septem any help you could provide. Thanks In encourage learning good operating
(rrMd-30s) who is approaching my ex
ber issue. Wayne. you should realize advance. skills, anlenna construction. and un
ecreese anVIicense within the next lew months.
that you could your circula P.S. I e~ 73 as it is; please don't derstanding of propagation instead 01
I have been reading the various maga·
tion much Quicker by telling people change if (InclUding Wayne's ram Just buying and amplifier 10 cut
Zines on the hobby and have consis
wtlat they want to hear, rather than the b1ings-or should I say rumblings?) thfOlJgh it an. Then have the current
tently lound 73to be the most inlerest
truth. I have a Heath HW5400 that has Extra license, perhaps still at 12 wpm
lng, provocative and usefut 01 the
Now that we get everything lor some output devices: 417-971 , 972· code, but wilh the higher power and
bunch.
nothing these days. we no longer have 8973, that also fall Into this calegory, additional frequency allotments. A
ecnonars.
I especially enjoy your
to work lor what we get out 01 lile. Fortunately, the HW5400 survived number of other countries also require
bUI I have to admit mat me September
Hell. loday when you graduate, with a Hugo totally unscathed! that you be licensed three to live years
aue
'93 one lell me a at a loss. I have
degree in Bull-S, you are Qualified lor P.P.S. I live about 100 feet from the before you are allowed more lhan 100
noted that you do nol have a lot 01
CEO 01 a multinational corporation. II ocean on the North Shore of Puerto watts.
tans ruco. rcrcer time lor lhe AAAl . and thaI in the mid
lhe world to recognize your tal so we gol Hugo full While VE testing Is a marvelous
1960s (when I was just starting grade
ents, just continue to sponge olf 01 step torward, I strongly dislike having
Dan-As il lurns 01,11, me Healh
mese school) the AARl did something that
Mom and Dad. Shoot, are the the test questions available ahead 01
Company is slill in bUsiness. They are
you view as the real death of modern
'90s, do your thing. time. I don't know how to prevenl them
no longer producing the calalog of
amateur radio.
I heard my first radio in 1926, the from being made publiC, though.
oroaucn
which made /he name
wnrcot dragging you over gfOlJnd
Dempsey-Tunney light. I've been in Recently I spent abou l eight
Hea/hkl/legendary in ham radiO Cir
that you are probably very tired 01, can
VOlved in communications since age months in Ihe U.S. and attended a
cles. Yef, Heath's downsized descen
you give me a briel rundown? As a
11. Wherl we built our lirSt portable ra _. number of hamlests and radio ctubs
dant conlinoes /0 provide some sup
Canadian under 40. I'm alraid that
dio. We put a cryslallnside a big ear and it seemed that mosl people's ac
port for hams and others who need
some 01the implicit reterences just
phone and wired it up. You could hook bvities were limited 10 the occasional
shoot over my head.
onlo a barbed-wire fence near Allanta chal with a friend or on a net on HF, 2
As fate would have it. the two ICs
I am also an avid computer hobby
and hear WSB loud and clear. 01 meter FM. and packet radio. I share
course, the lance wasn't portable. you seek (Heath ¢' 442-698 and pin ist (asserrbled my own Heath lrom a
your sentiments about the lack of
443-937) are in stock and can IJe or wan
me kit a ~r of years ago) and I
I have enclosed a photo ot building, experimentation, and interest
dered direct trom Hea/h Company,
dered, have you ever thoughl 01 start
TU-1000 RnY unit, described in the in anyl hing out 01 tne ordinary. I
P.O. Box 1288, Benton Harbor MI
Ing an echo on one of the major nets.
June 1985 Issue of 73. I built it last
looked in vain everywhere lor some
49023-1288; [phone]. While ecnoeat
such as Ftdo? Your material
year, even though I already had a
one 10 explain or talk to me about
Heath Company may nol be able to
RnY unit. I just enjoy the feeting 01 would be great stuff to spread, and the
tecnocet APlINK, for instance, and lound hard
provide all of the support
laster timeline lor com ments could
salislaclion and accomplishment that
ly anyone who could knowledgeably
they used /0 back in the old days, !hey
make tor very readable funl
comes Irom creating something. I talk to me about AMSAT. Amateur ra
can sometimes refer you10 other com
I look lorward to more of your writ·
know you have experienced that teet dio has a proud heritage of expert
panies who can. Heath'sgeneral infor·
Ings-they're great fun and make me
ing many, many limes during your life.
mentation and innovation, but for the
maficm number is [phone] , , ,
Ihink about things Irom different points
I bet you a buck that if you could get a most part it seems that U.S. hams al
Charlie WMRZW
ot view!
lot more Americans to experience that most always look Inward, not consid
feeling, Just once, what a wonderful Dave Swanson N1MJC, Dennis ering me rest 01 the world, and use
Yes, I'm tired of writing the detaits
change we woukl see! port MA Wayne, you have interesting ham radio as an expensive telephone.
of the Greal Calas/rophe of 1964,
editorials, sometimes a lillie repen- Let's see some artiCles on home-brew
Someone please write and lell Ron
D. E. Geot'ge WP4XD, Isla Verde, ncus. but I guess you are Irying to DSP, possibly pUlling this and other
about il .. . Wayne
Puerlo Rico Dear Charles Warring- drive home your point 01 view. I read digital processes Into practice. These
Ion: I am addressing this leiter 10 you an excerpt on ""Nhal's wrong with Pe- Daniel Plett 3A2LZ. Monaco are some ideas brought about by your
because I am not sure who or what terborough" from your DeclarB War Wayne, I have been reading your column and by my personal experi
Ii1
should get il. Is it "Kaboom: -Carr's book, sent 10 me by a Iriend who magazine lor about a year now and ences in the U.S. and overseas.
6 73 Amateur Radio Icaey »January, 1994
~ Real·Speech Voice ID Option Available With
~ DVR·1 Digital Voice Recorder Shown At Leftl
LNG·(")
REP-200 REPEATER
ONLY$59
wlrc.l.IQSllld A microprocessor-controlled repeater with autopatch
FEATURES: and many versatile dtmf control features at less than you
• Very low nOise: O.7dB \Itlf, C.8dB uhf might pay for a bare-bones repeater or controller alone!
• High gain: 13-2OdB. depends on freq
• Wide c1ynamic range · resist ovel1oad We don't skimp on rf modules, eitherl Check the features on R144
• Stable: low-feedback dual-gate FET Receiver below, for instance: GaAs FET front--end, helical rescne
*s,-,1Iy lunir>g tange; 26-.10, 4/1-56, 137-152, e oVR-1 DIGITAL VOICE
152-172, 211)-23Q, 400-470. 800-900 MH:<. tors, sharp crystal filters, hysteresis squelch.
HEW RECORDER Module
Primarily a voice ID'er
Kit $1095; w&t only $12951
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MINIATURE "radlo notepad~ to record up to 20
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' I PREAMP
insU,"t recall. As a repeater ID'er, it will
record your voice, using either the built
$29 k~, $44 ...
ONLY t..s mrc.
1r8d&t... in microphone or an external II can
• GaAs FET Preamp similar to LNG, ex be used with almost any repeater COR
cept clesigned for low ecst a small size, module, As a contest caller, you can
record a message or even several mes
On~ 5/8"W x 1-S/a"L x 3j4"H. Easily
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baosrmtter at the press of a swrtcn. As
'Specify lUning range: 25-35, J5-56, 5&-90,
a radio notepad, you can keep it wired Other models available:
~!ro. 12lJ.150, 1~2DO, 200.270, 40(1.500 MHz,
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back as many times as you like through
REP·200N Repeater with no controller. For use with external controller,
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as
such those made by ACC. Kn only $695, w&t $995.
information,) " kit $89, w&t $139
PREAMP
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• GaAs FET Preamp with features similar Designed especially for repealers, oFCC type accepted for commercial access for repeater or autopalch, and
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eocacercos.
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141-150, f50-fW, rt,;;H74. 2f:J-23J. 42Q-47Q med; specify call ....". Kit $99, w&t $159 oPulse (rotary) dialoption available. .Welded rt·llght parlnions for exciter,
oDTMF CONTROL.: over 45 functions pa, receiver, and cootroaer.
TD-2 TOUCH.TONE DECODER/CON
can be controlled by dim! command. . 3Y.r inch aluminum rack panel, finished
TROLLER. Full 16 digits, with foll--call
RECEIVING
4-digil control coda for each function. in eggshell white and black.
restnctcr, programmable. Can tum 5
functions on/off. Great for selective call
CONVERTERS
ing,loo' . . Kit $89, wired & tested $149
XMTRS & RCVRS FOR REPEATERS, AUOIO
e
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NEW fNG Module. Economy & OIGITALlINKS , TELEMETRY, ETC.
touch-tone decoder w,th 1
latcrunq oufpul Primarily designed to Also available In rf·tlght enclosures. and with data modems.
mute speaker unt,1 someone calls you
by sending 4-<1igil II Signal but may also FM EXCITERS: 2W continuous
be used to turn on actcpatcn or other duty TCXO & xtal oven opnons '3 _ ...
device . ......"....".. kit $49, w&t $89 FCC tYIH accepted forcom'I "
(J
high ba"d & uhf, -
AP-3 AUTOPATCH. Use with above for
Low noise converters to receive vhf and repeater actopatcn. Reverse patch and
MHz k,t $109, wat $189
phone line remote control are std.
uht bands 00 a 10M receiver.
• TA451 420--475MHz
........"....."kit $89, wired & tested $149
o Kit less case $49, kit w/case " BNC ':(j~
kit $109, w&t $189 0
Jacka $74, w&t in case $99. Ap·2 SIMPLEX AUTOPATCH Timing
• TA901 902-928 MHz, ...
o Input ranges avail: 50-52, 136-138, Board. Use with above for simplex
(0 5W cui) w&t $219 " ,
144·146, 145-147,1 46-148, 220·222, operation using a transceiver . .. kit $39
• VHF & UHF AMPLIFIERS,
222-224 MHz, 432·434, 435-437, • forfm, ssb, ew. Output levels from
f,~l:.'~J
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FM RECEIVERS:
• R1441R220 FM RECEIVERS for 143-174
or 213-233 MHz. GaAs FET front end,
MO-202 FSK DATA MODULATOR.
0,15uV sensitivity' Both crystal & cefamic
Run up to 1200 baud digital signals
if filters plus helical resonator front end
through any tm transmitter with full
for exceptional seledivity >l00dB at
handshakes, RadiO link computers,
±12kHz (best available anywhere')
Ielemetry gear, etc. ...... kil $49, w&t $79
Flutter-proof hysteresis squelch; arc
DE·202 FSK DEMODULATOR. FO( necks drift. kit $149, w&t $219.
receive end of link, ...... kit $49, w&t $79 • R451 FM RCVR, for 420--475 MHz.
Similar to eoove. ..,kit $149, w&t $219.
9600 BAUD DIGITAL RF LINKS. Low.
• R9D1 FM RCVR, for 902-928MHz
cost packel networking system, consist
Triple·conversion. GsAs FET Iront end
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versions of our 144, 220 or 4SO MHz FM
convert 10M sse. CW,1m, etc, to 2M, 220, • R76 ECONOMY FM RCVR for 28·30, SO·54, 73-76, 143-174, 213-233 MHz,
Transmitters and Receivers, Interface
ec.
222,432,435, and ew. lWoutput. directly with most lNC's Fast, diode wlo helical res or .i.Kits $129. w&1$219,
Kit only $89. PA's up to 45W available. switched PA's output 15 5r:/IN, • R137 WEATHER SATELLITE RCVR for 137 MHz, Kit $129, w&t $219,
0(
Numbet 3on your Feedback card
Q R X
• • •
Ham Nobel Prize Winner Fork It Over sassed. The nam-raoto-equtopec historic
balloon flight has been set back a minimum
The winner of the 1993 Nobel Prize lor If you think your last traffic ticket was of six to eight weeks. TNX WSYI Report, Is
physics. Princeton University's Dr. Joseph H. painful, wait until you see what your friends sue #22, November 15, 1993.
Taylor K1JT, attributes his success in science at the FCC have cooked up for you. The
to his eal1y involvement in amateur radio. Tay commission's new fine schedule includes a
Let's Talk Ham Radio
lor shared the prestigious award with his for $625 penalty for any "assorted minor viola
now
mer sjuder rt and Princeton colleague, Or. tions; and a $1,250 tine for failure to identify
A Phoenix-based radio talk show called
Russell A. Hulse. your station. Unauthorized use of equipment
' Hem Radio & More~ has gone netoner after
Upon learning of his winning the prize, Or. will cost you S5,000.
2-1/2 years of success on station KFNN.
Taylor told reporters that he developed his sci Running excessive power, failing 10 re
The show began broadcasting nationally
entific skills as a ham during his years al spond to an FCC communication , or operat
over more than 80 Talk America Network af
Moorestown Friends Academy in New Jersey. ing on an unauthorized frequency will set
filiate stations in late November. The weekly
He later earned a Bachelors degree from you back $10,000 under the new fine scheo
program Is hosted by Len Winkler KB7LPW,
ure.
Haverlord College and a Doctorate in Astron Transmitting Indecent material or words
and features special guests, give-aways, lis
omy from Harvard University. The Nobel Com will cost you $12,500, causing malicious in
tener call-Ins, and OX news.
mittee honored Taylor and Hulse lor their terference to another ham is set at 517,500,
"Ham Radio & More" can be picked up in
study of the gigantic gravitational forces exert and failing to permit an FCC station inspec
any market by a local talk station. You can
ed by pulsars. TNX ARRL tion carries an $18,500 price tag.
suggest your favorite station carry the pro
na
If you really want to help reduce the
gram by having them contact the Talk Ameri·
uonat
debt, just get caught sending out a
The Car of the Future ca Network at [phone]. The show
false SOS. Illegal misuse of distress commu
can also be picked up on Satcom C-5,
nications like that will cost you 520,000 for
Technology offers new hope for those Transponder 19, 6.0 audio and Galaxy 2.
each transmission! The FCC has the author
among us who hate to stop and ask lor direc Transponder 3, Channel 55.4. The show is
ity to adjust these lines, but these base
tions. Commerce Secretary Ron Brown joined designed to ncrease the PUblic's awareness
amounts are recommended lor first-time of
automotive industry leaders recently to an of ham radio and thus help the hobby to
fenders. TNX Newsline & West/ink Report,
nounce an international agreement which will grow. It includes discussions of all aspects of
No. 661, November 12, 1993.
accelerate the development of practical GP$ hamming, and is not limited to technical top-
receivers for motor vehides. ics. Listen lor it on Sundays at 6 p.m. E$T.
Many hams are already lamiliar with the Radio Sleuth Lauded
GP$ (Global Positiooing System) technology. Be Prepared
Originally developed by the Department of The FCC recently presented a bronze
Defense as a worldwide navigation system for plaque of appreciation to Melvin I. Woods Members of the Amateur Radio Emergen
the armed forces, GPS uses satellites to pin. KN4ZT, of Annandale, Virginia, for his "out cy Services group of Mercer County in rural
point the exact locations of special receivers. standing assistance" in solving a false dis Kentucky had a very authentic training exer
Magellan Systems, a California based man tress signal case. The 1992 case involved a cise one recent Saturday. Ham operators
ufacturer of GPS receivers, will develop, build, false SOS on 14.313 MHz. The commission
and other volunteers were staging their re
and export the units. Experts predict the re says Woods not only provided important in sponse to a mock plane crash when a very
ceivers will be so small and inexpensive they formation at the time, he also cooperated real crash occured on nearby Highway
will become a standard feature in new auto with the subsequent FCC investigation. 127-an automobile and a large truck had
mobiles. The 58-year-old Amateur Extra Class 0p
collided.
erator served in the US Navy from 1952 to
Using 2 meter gear and a repeater phone
1976 as a senior chief radioman and chief
patch, Robert James KC4Z0 X summoned
Quick Ticket
electronics technician. Woods started in ham
local authorities and the accident was han
radio in 1953 as a Novice. He was also
dled without delay. Despite bad weather and
The FCC has proposed a measure which
awarded the US Coast Guard Public Service
that highway collision, the simulated hunt for
would grant temporary operating authority to
Award from Rear Admiral William J. Ecker
the ~downed aircraft" was a success. Orga
unlicensed persons who have passed their
during the OCtober ceremony. TNX Wastlink
nizers called the day'S woO:. excellent train
examinations for new amateur radio licenses.
Report, No. 661. November 12, 1993.
ing for the unexpected. TNX Dan Cordray
The temporary operating authority would be
KD4PWP.
gin when the exam is passed and the applica
Malfunctio n Grounds
tion filed. The maximum limit would be 120
days. Earthwinds TNX •••
The temporary authority would not benefit
anyone whose license has been suspended, A November launch attempt for the Earth , , , to all our contributorsl You can
revoked, or subjected to other FCC enforce winds around-the-world balloon flight was reach us by phone at [phone], or by
ment proceedings. The commission reserves aborted after a system malfunction damaged mall at 73 MagaZine, Route 202 North, Pe
the right to yank this operating authority at the crew capsule. Crewmembers Larry New terborough NH 03458. Or get in touch with
any time without a hearing. man KB7J GM, Richard Abruzzo, and us on CompuServe ppn 70310,775; Mel
The Commission says the system ". .. Vladimir Ozhanibekov RV300 were not on Mail -WGEPUB"; or the 73 BBS al (603)
would be useful to the amateur community, board at the time and no one was injured 924-9343 (300-2400 baud, 8 data bits, no
yet practical to implement." The proposal, during the mishap. parity, one stop bit.) News items that don't
designated P.R.Docket 93-267, was based on Project leaders suspect a cable support make it into 73 are often put in our other
a Petition for Rulemaking from the Western anchoring the capsule to the ground gave monthly publication, Radio Fun. You can
carolina Amateur Society. TNX Wesl/ink Re way, causing the capsule to rise prematurely also send news items by FAX at (603) 924
port. No. 661, November 12, 1993. and then fall. The damage is being es- 9327. iii
8 73 Amateur Radio TodayeJanuary, 1994